91Ö±²¥

Philosophy (B.A.)

  • Major, Minor
  • On Campus

Why Study Philosophy at La 91Ö±²¥?

What if learning how to think was the most valuable skill you could gain?

Philosophy isn’t just about understanding the world, it’s about understanding yourself. At La 91Ö±²¥, philosophy is more than an academic subject, it’s a way of life.

As a Philosophy major at La 91Ö±²¥, you’ll challenge assumptions, ask bold questions, and develop the critical thinking skills that employers—and the world—need. You’ll explore timeless questions about truth, justice, knowledge, and human purpose while learning to analyze complex ideas, communicate clearly, and solve problems from multiple perspectives. You’ll examine the beliefs and values that shape your decisions, discover new ways of thinking, and build the intellectual confidence to navigate an ever-changing world.

Whether you’re preparing for a career in law, business, education, public service, or graduate study, our program encourages you to see philosophy as a practical tool for living thoughtfully, leading ethically, and engaging meaningfully with the world around you. Through dynamic discussions, close mentorship with faculty, and a curriculum rooted in real-world questions, you’ll learn to connect big ideas to everyday life.

Highlighted Courses

PHL 370 – Special Topics

Recent topics have included: Revolution to Romanticism; Philosophy of Islam; Memory, Identity, and the Self; Evolution and Creation; J.R.R. Tolkien as Philosopher; Harry Potter and Philosophy.

PHL 341 – Minds, Brains, And Zombies

This course examines human consciousness. Topics include the relation between the mind and the brain, the possibility of building conscious machines, the mental life of animals, and conceptual puzzles posed by zombies.

PHL 260 – Philosophy Explores Photography

This course analyzes the aesthetic character and philosophical significance of photographs through texts that explore their distinctive nature, metaphysical qualities, and reflective power. Students learn to describe creative and artistic techniques of photographic expression and relate them to notions of time, personhood, and transcendence.

Meet the Faculty

The faculty is focused on being outstanding teachers of philosophy; and yet also engage in original and high-level research in our discipline and sub-disciplines. These include the philosophy of art and the icon, medieval mystical philosophy and the philosophical underpinnings of Tolkien’s fantasy; original research into metaphysical foundations of the philosophy of Immanuel Kant; the phenomenology of human health and philosophy for children.

Career Opportunities

Below is a sampling of what some of our graduates are up to:

  • Tyrique Mack-Georges, ’23, Philosophy PhD candidate, Penn State University
  • Emily J. Caine, ’14, Curriculum Coordinator, The Loyola School, Baltimore
  • Alex Brazinski, ’13, Licensed Acupuncturist and Movement Specialist
  • Chris Chamberlain, ’09, Partner, Morrison Foerster, National Security Group
  • Christina Tofani, ’07, Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Cooper Digestive Health Institute

Philosophy has been invaluable in my career and life after La 91Ö±²¥. It taught me critical thinking skills and how to think creatively to solve problems, essential in my career as a lawyer. Philosophy enhances my interpersonal relationships by giving me a deeper understanding of humanity.

Meghera Bunch, ’16
Special Education Attorney, Batchis, Nestle & Reimann
Meghera Bunch, ’16